What's What & Who's Who in Sci-Fi & TV As Reported By Steve Eramo

Top Chef

05/29/2010

MARKING a major expansion of its reality programming, the Syfy Channel has announced it is greenlighting three new reality series, Marcel's Quantum Kitchen, Paranormal Witness and Face Off. This broad-based slate builds upon the success of the channel's unscripted programming such as the Ghost Hunters franchise and Destination Truth on Wednesday nights, along with Syfy's new Thursday reality block, which premieres July 15th.

In making the announcement, Mark Stern, Executive Vice President, Original Content for Syfy/Co-head, Original Content for Universal Cable Productions, said, "We couldn't be more excited to see these shows move forward. Whether it is pushing the scientific boundaries of cooking, immersing us in first-person accounts of paranormal encounters, or exploring the creative artists behind special effects make-up, each of these series underscores the increasing breadth of Syfy's diverse brand."

Ghost Hunters, the #1 paranormal investigative series on television, and Destination Truth - whose recently completed third season established series viewing records - rank among the most popular basic cable programs during Wednesday prime.

On Thursday, July 15th, Syfy launches the new reality block of Mary Knows Best at 9:00 p.m. EST/PST followed by Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files at 10:00 p.m. EST/PST.

MARCEL'S QUANTUM KITCHEN - Utilizing the science of cooking, Marcel's Quantum Kitchen stars one of America's most notorious chefs, molecular gastronomist Marcel Vigneron (Top Chef). In each episode, Marcel and his new catering and event company will be hired by a demanding client to produce an extraordinary celebration or event. Based on the client's requests Marcel will dream up a theme and cuisine for the event, which range from a fairytale graduation party and a Goth-rock fashion show to a birthday dinner held on a platform suspended in mid-air. He and his team of party planners and chefs will tap the depths of their imagination and culinary talents to create everything from the immersive decor to a delicious menu that emphasizes Marcel's brand of avant-garde cooking. Marcel's Quantum Kitchen is a production of Intuitive Entertainment, and executive produced by Kevin Dill and Mechelle Collins.

PARANORMAL WITNESS - From Dimitri Doganis and Bart Layton, the acclaimed creative team behind Locked Up Abroad, this tense, cinematic, high-octane drama-documentary series brings to life the stories of people who have lived through paranormal experiences that defy explanation; from poltergeist to alien encounters. Using the mixture of intimate, firsthand testimony and gritty realistic drama that the producers are known for, Paranormal Witness will take the audience into a world turned upside-down by extraordinary and terrifying events. The series is a production of Raw TV, and executive produced by Dimitri Doganis and Bart Layton.

FACE OFF - This is a competition/elimination series exploring the world of special effects make-up artists and the unlimited imagination which allows them to create amazing works of living art. Not only will the show incorporate effects make-up, it will include a wide range of skill sets including prosthetics, 3-D design, animatronics, sculpting, eye enhancers, puppeteering, casting and molding. Each episode involves incredible reveals of the competitors' finished work, and the drama of one contestant being sent home by the panel of expert and celebrity judges. It all culminates in one winner and one grand prize that will launch a career! Face Off is a production of Mission Control Media, and executive produced by Michael Agbabian and Dwight Smith.